Welcome to Women’s Radio Group (WRG), a training and networking resource for women interested in radio.

On this site you can find details of our activities, as well as links to information to help anyone wanting to follow a career in radio.
Do get in touch by email (see below) – or follow this website to be notified of updates.

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Women’s Radio Group is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity. Company no.: 02340282 ~ Charity no.: 801473
E-mail: contactwrg[@]womeninradio.org.uk (Please remove the [ ] before sending – apologies for any inconvenience.)

Japan appeal
Following the recent terrible disasters in Japan, we broadcast an appeal for the Red Cross Japan Tsunami Appeal. The item included a specially recorded appeal voiced by Yuka Masawo, a Japanese national living in Cheshire who works with students at Canalside Community Radio. She has many friends and relatives still living in Japan.

Click on the links below to listen to this item as broadcast or to go direct to Yuka’s appeal, which has been played on more than 20 community radio stations in the UK. It is available for sharing – if you play it on your station, please let them know at Canalside Community Radio.

~ Japan disaster appeal item from March broadcast (MP3 – 3′ 02″)

~ Japan appeal from Yuka at Canalside Community Radio (MP3 – 1′ 08″)
The Japanese words at the end of the appeal translate as “together we stand, we will re-build, we will work hard, we shall overcome ….. long live Japan.”

Open Age Reach Programme in EalingOpen Age is a charity which supports older people aged 50+ in various aspects of their lives. One of their current programmes is Reach – West London, which provides advice and support in getting back to work for residents aged 50+ of Ealing (and other West London boroughs) who receive benefits such as incapacity benefit or income support.

Debbie Golt spoke to employment adviser Mary Edwards about the programme and how it can help older people in Ealing and other West London boroughs.

~ Open Age – Reach programme – Mary Edwards interview (MP3 – 12′ 39″)

For more information, please visit the website (then scroll down for the Reach – West London entry or click here to download the Word document with full details).

Came Women and Girls Development Organisation
This is a London-based community organisation set up in 2008 by Margaret Nyuydzewira with other women from Cameroon. As part of the Ealing series of interviews, Yula Burin spoke to her to find out more. She began by asking why she set up the organisation.

UN Women
1st January 2011 saw the launch of UN Women – the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. Up till then the UN’s support for the world’s women had been split between four smaller entities – this marks a new start under a bigger umbrella.

Lesley Abdela is a journalist, women’s right activist and consultant on gender in international development with countries coming out of conflict. She has worked in over 40 countries, most recently Sierra Lieone, Iraq and Nepal. She talked to Cathy Aitchison about how UN Women had come about and what effect it might have for the world’s women.

There was also a debate in Parliament in the week of International Women’s Day, initiated by the Conservative MP for Epping Forest, Eleanor Laing. She spoke to Cathy Aitchison about the debate and about her hopes for UN Women.

Our most recent broadcast was on Wednesday 30th March 2011, from 7pm (London time). Some of the items are available online to download or listen again. Please click on the links where shown below.

Schedule

7pm Reports and features for International Women’s Day (and month)
Andrea Rangecroft and Cathy Aitchison look at the new United Nations agency UN Women and hear from Eleanor Laing, MP, who led a debate in the House of Commons in support of the new agency, and Lesley Abdela, a specialist in gender who works to increase the participation of women in democracy and governance in countries around the world.Click here for details and to listen

8.30pm Artbeat with Ursula Troche
Including an interview with Carleen De Sözer, Artist in Residence at West London Art Factory in North Acton, about her own art and about West London Art Factory, which offers artspace, workshops and events.

9pm Outerglobe with D J Debbie
Including a preview of the new album from the Sudanese singer/songwriter Ameira Kheir, which launches on 31st March, plus information about the new fund Women Make Music, launched by the PRS for Music Foundation for women music creators.

Tuesday 8th March is International Women’s Day. This is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. Its roots are in movements campaigning for better pay and voting rights. It’s recognised by the United Nations.

One hundred years
8th March was first used as International Women’s Day in 1911. The idea had been evolving in the years before that in the USA and in Europe – a National Women’s Day was held in the United States on 28th February, 1909.

The official theme this year is “Equal access to education, training and science and technology: Pathway to decent work for women”. But everyone is free to choose their own theme – click here for some themes from the UK and beyond.

Audio to share on community radio stations
If you’re broadcasting a special programme for International Women’s Day on 8th March, or any time during the month of March, feel free to share audio from this website (fully credited, please). Browse the whole site, or check out the category #IWD for our suggestions.

And if you record any interesting interviews in your own area (in the studio or out and about), we’d love to add them here. If possible, please send them in time for our next broadcast on 30th March. Get in touch by using ‘Leave a Reply’ below, or click here for our contact details.